Acute inflammation of the lacrimal gland is called what?

• A. Dacryocystitis
• B. Dacryoadenitis
• C. Blepharitis
• D. Conjunctivitis

Answer: (B)

Dacryoadenitis is acute inflammation of the lacrimal gland. The lacrimal gland sits in the superolateral orbit, so inflammation causes swelling and tenderness in the upper outer eyelid area. This presentation differentiates it from other tear-duction problems: dacryocystitis involves the lacrimal sac at the medial canthus with medial swelling and often tearing or discharge near the nose; blepharitis is inflammation of the eyelid margin with crusting and lid redness; conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva with diffuse eye redness and discharge rather than a focal gland swelling.